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Plan Your Visit
Key Information
Choosing an Entrance PassDo you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass. How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.
Entrance PassesIndiana Dunes is home to both a national park and a state park. Both are incredible parks that offer countless recreation opportunities. However, Indiana Dunes National Park is owned by the federal government and Indiana Dunes State Park is owned by the State of Indiana. As such, each park has fees and passes that are separate and unique. None of the passes and fees work between the two parks. If you have any questions regarding park passes, please stop by or call the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. Standard Entrance Pass$15.00–$25.00
Indiana Dunes is home to both a national park and a state park. Both are incredible parks that offer countless recreation opportunities. However, Indiana Dunes National Park is owned by the federal government and Indiana Dunes State Park is owned by the State of Indiana. As such, each park has fees and passes that are separate and unique. None of the passes and fees work between the two parks.
If you have any further questions regarding national park and state park passes, please stop by or call the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 219 395-1882.
For VehiclesIf you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass. Costs for vehicles with more than 15 passengers are listed below under Organizations and Businesses. 7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Motorcycle
Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase) In-person Purchase Locations
7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle
Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase). In-person Purchase Locations
For Individuals without a VehicleIf you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass. 7-Day Per Person Entrance Fee (Organized, non-commercial groups)
Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour. In-person Purchase Locations
For Organizations & BusinessesEntry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people.
Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate). In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00
Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people. In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00
Entry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people.
In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00
Entry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons.
In-person Purchase Locations
 Annual Entrance - Park$45.00 Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass
This pass provides entry for the pass owner(s) and passengers in a family-sized vehicle. This pass only works at the Indiana Dunes National Park and is not accepted at the Indiana Dunes State Park.
Passes can be purchased from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, seasonally at the West Beach kiosk, or online at recreation.gov. In-person Purchase Locations
America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass. How to Get an America the Beautiful PassIn Person (Recommended)Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites. Order Online, Receive by MailTo receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead. 2024 Free Entrance Days in the National ParksCome experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
Places To Purchase A Pass7-Day entrance passes, Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass, and Interagency Passes can be purchased from the following locations:
7-Day entrance passes and Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Passes may also be purchased from:
7-Day entrance pass offered with stay only
Have Questions?Follow this link to watch an informative video about the new entrance fees and passes available. Why the fee?The fee revenue will help fund a wide variety of deferred maintenance and new projects like the Marquette Greenway Bike Trail, parking and transportation improvements, and visitor services for a park that has seen its attendance increase from 1.7 million visitors to more than 3 million since its name change in February of 2019. At least 55% of this revenue must be used for maintenance while the rest can be used to supplement operations and fund improvements to visitor services. Will this fee be accepted at Indiana Dunes State Park?No, this new fee is only for the national park and does not cover the fee collected by the state for entrance into the Indiana Dunes State Park. Will my Federal Lands Pass work for this fee?Yes, the following federal passes will work:
Will my Indiana State Parks Pass be a accepted for this fee?No. How will people pay the fee?Fees are paid at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, the West Beach Entrance Station (seasonally) and on-line at Recreation.gov. We do not plan to build entrance stations at each parking lot. Do you have to pay an entrance fee every day?The $25 vehicle pass is good for 7 days or you can buy an annual pass for that is good for a year from when it is purchased. Is it ever free to enter the National Park?Yes, there are five days a year when all national parks are free to enter:
Do you have to pay the fee to drive, bike or kayak/boat though the park?No, simply passing through the park on roads, bike trails or by water (Little Calumet River or Lake Michigan) does not require an entrance fee. However, if you stop in the park to walk a trail, use the beach, eat in a picnic shelter, or use other park facilities, an entrance fee should be paid. Do delivery trucks or other commercial vehicles have to pay a fee?No, vehicles entering the park to do work or deliver goods do not have to pay the fee. Do School Groups have to pay the fee for field trips?No, educational groups coming to the park can receive an Educational Fee Waiver. They need to contact the park at least three weeks in advance to request the waiver. Why do I see vehicles in official lots without parking passes?Many visitors (especially on holidays and weekends) pay the park's entrance fee electronically. Parking enforcers access this information remotely to determine if a vehicle has paid. My question is not in this FAQ. How do I get it answered?Call the park’s visitor information line at 219-395-1882. Campground FeesBelow is a list of campground sites at the park with information including fees.Loading...
Dunewood CampgroundBasic InformationAmenities Fire/Stove Policy Toilet Types Shower Types Weather Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address Physical Address Directions Additional Information Cell Phone Additional Information Internet Additional Information Regulations
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Accessibility Information
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Dunbar Group SiteBasic InformationAmenities Fire/Stove Policy Toilet Types Shower Types Weather Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address Physical Address Directions Additional Information Cell Phone Additional Information Internet Additional Information Regulations
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Central Avenue Walk-in SitesBasic InformationAmenities Fire/Stove Policy Toilet Types Shower Types Weather Email Address Phone number (Voice) Mailing Address Physical Address Directions Additional Information Cell Phone Additional Information Internet Additional Information Regulations
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Accessibility Information
Picnic Shelter ReservationsThere are picnic shelters located at many locations within Indiana Dunes National Park. Most are first come, first served, with the following exceptions:
Learn more about picnicking at Indiana Dunes National Park... 
Your Fee Dollars At WorkThe fees you pay when visiting Indiana Dunes National Park or when staying in the campgrounds make a difference. Entrance Fees are used to provide custodial and lifeguard services. Without you, the visitor, these services would not be possible. Fees collected from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allowed us to complete projects like:
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Last updated: August 27, 2024